Memorandum device



Sept. 25, 1951 Filed July 6, 1948 A. OLEVIN 2,568,819

MEMORANDUM DEVICE 2 Sheet's-She1 l IQDUL px/ ULEVl/V INVENTOR Q Ma d M ATTO R N EY Sept. 25, 1951' A. OLEVIN MEMORANDUM DEVICE 2 Sheets-Sheet Filed July 6, 1948 gg ma A7004 PH 74 w/v INVENTOR ATTORNEY Patented Sept. 25, 1951 UNITED STATES PATENT OFFICE 2,568,819 MEMORANDUM DEVICE Adolph Olevin, Brooklyn, N. Y.

Application July 6, 1948, Serial No. 37,262

Claims.

This invention relates generally to memorandum devices and more particularly to devices in which the addresses and telephone numbers of various individuals may be alphabetically or otherwise classified.

In the past there have been numerous devices of this type all of which have sufiered from one of several disadvantages. If the device had provision for retaining any appreciable number of entries, it had also the accompanying disadvantage of bulkiness, thereby occupying a considerable portion of the surface of the desk or table upon which it may be placed. If on the other hand ithas been constructed with an object of achieving compactness, it has also ofiered small capacity for entries, and there is always ever present the possibility of its loss or its being misplaced.

An object of the present invention, therefore, lies in the provision of a device in which no additional desk or table space need be utilized while the device is in use.

Another object herein, lies in the provision of a device in which the capacity may be of a relatively large order, obviating the necessity of having a number of such devices on the desk of the user.

Another object herein lies in the provision of a device in which any entry may be easily and rapidly located.

Still another object herein lies in the provision of a device in which the possibility of being misplaced has been eliminated.

A further object of the invention lies in the provision of a device which may be detachably aflixed to a standard telephone base thereby assuring that it may be immediately available for use at all times.

A still further object of the invention lies in the provision of a device embodying all of the above mentioned advantages, in which the cost of fabrication may be of a relatively low order with consequent wide sale and distribution.

A feature of the present invention lies in the fact that provision has been made not only for the permanent entry of indexed information, but also for the recording of incidental information which may be detached from the device and carried in the pocket, to be subsequently discarded when no longer required.

Another feature of the present invention lies in the fact that the device embodying the invention may be constructed entirely from metal-,

lie sheet stock, no castings of any type being re- These objects and features, as well as other incidental objects and advantages will become more fully apparent during the course of the following specification, and be pointed out in the appended claims.

In the drawings similar reference characters designate corresponding parts throughout the several views of the embodiment:

Figure 1 is a view in perspective of an embodiment of the invention, attached to the base of a. conventional telephone.

Figure 2 is a fragmentary enlarged vertical sectional view of the embodiment as seen from the plane 2-2 on Figure 1.

Figure 3 is a fragmentary enlarged elevational view showing a plurality of interlocking members, to be subsequently described, in an interlocked position thereof.

Figure 4 is a fragmentary enlarged view in perspective of one of the interlocking elements mounted in position on one of the index cards.

Figure 5 is an enlarged fragmentary vertical sectional view as seen from the plane 5-5 on Figure 4.

Figure 6 is an enlarged vertical sectional view similar in most respects to Figure 5 but showing a plurality of the interlocking members in an interlocked position as in Figure 3.

Figure 7 is a plan view of the embodiment detached from the telephone base for purposes of clarity. I

Figure 8 is a fragmentary enlarged vertical sectional view as seen from the plane 88 on Figure 1.

Figure 9 is an enlarged vertical sectional view as seen from the plane 99 on Figure '7, showing the selector element.

Figure 10 is an enlarged fragmentary elevational view of the interlocking members, showing their interaction with the selector member.

Figure 11 is a fragmentary enlarged vertical sectional view as seen from the plane ll-Il on Figure 8.

The device, generally indicated by reference character In, includes broadly an outer casing element [2, a drawer element l4, and a selector element H3.

The outer casing element I2 as shown has a rectangular external configuration, so as to be suitable for use in conjunction With what is referred to in the telephone art as a combination telephone set. It will be understood, of course, by those skilled in the art to which the present invention relates that this external configuration is merely by way of example, the device by suitable modification being equally suited for use with the older types of telephones having quasicircular base portions. It includes generally a right side portion [8, a left side portion 2%], as well as front and rear portions 22 and 2 s. A bottom portion 26 encloses the lower portion of the device, there being no top portion required since the telephone 28 is fitted directly into the opening, formed by side portions l824. Spacing members 35]- preferably formed from rubber are provided at each of the four corners, and serve to elevate the device a small distance from the surface of the desk or table upon which the device may be placed thereby facilitating the opening of the drawer element [4.

A trigger member 32 is mounted on the undersurface of the bottom portion 26, (Figure "1) and includes a resilient portion 34, a drawer element engaging projection 36, and a finger engaging portion 38. As will be'more clearly seen later the depressing of the finger engaging portion 358 permits the drawer element M to be resiliently propelled outwardly from the outer casing element l disclosing an index card 5d.

Disposed within the outer casing element 12, at a-poin't near the front portion 22 is a rotatably m'ounted spool d9 carrying a spooled supply of paper Q2. A-slot lid in the front portion 22 allows the'paper to project outwardly therefrom and it may be written upon and torn oii as necessary, allowing the user to carry any memoran- (him he may desire with him.

The drawer element lil includes generally a pair of support members 46, a sliding drawer 48 having a numberof index cards 58.

The support-members 46 are generally similar in structurebeingsymmetrical with respect to an imaginary center line from the middle points of sideportions ii; 'an'd s. They include bottom portionsfiii; inner vertical members a l, and. outer vertical members 5-5. As may be best seen on Figure '8; the outer-vertical members 56 include folded portions 69 which form retaining channels in which a portion of the drawerv 48 may ride, aswell as support for the telephone base. Rivet means-62 secures the support members 56 to: the upper surfaceuofthe bottom portion 26.

The sliding:drawer 38' includes a bottom member 6 vertical side members 85, an outer end portion-168', and terminal bar engaging'pcrtions ill. The terminal bar 52 as may be seen on Figures 2 and'l, serves to transmit tension from the coil springs l4," the other termini of which are secured to the outer casing element by suitable means'such as the pins it.

The indexcards 5% maybe any desired type, the number approximating thenumber of letters of'th'e alphabet or the total number of symbols used for'indexing. Secured to the right hand edge of each card is an interlocking member 88 at a distance from the upper edge 58 depending upon the position ofthe letter in the alphabet or symbol of indexing system to which the card refers. In order that the interlocking members may operate properly in a manner to be more clearly described later, that portion of each card between the interlocking member and the upper edge and equal substantially to the width of the interlocking member is cut away or otherwise removed. It may be mentioned at this time that the lowermost card 59 is rigidly secured to the bottom member M by suitable means such as the rivet 98.

The interlocking members 88 are preferably formed from small brass stampings; although other suitable metal may be employed if desired. As they are all exactly identical in structure, a description of one of said members will serve to describe all. As may be seen on Figures 3 and 4, the members 80 include an upper main portion 82 having a rectangular opening 83, a lower main portion 84, having a similar rectangular opening 85, a retaining tab 86, an interlocking tab 83, and an engagement tab 90. The lockin member 801s clipped to the card in such a manner that the upper main portion 82 and lower main portion 84 are folded around the edge of the card, the retaining tab 85 penetrating the card, and folding thereunder. (See Figure 3.) The interlocking tab 88' projects through the opening "92', previously formed in the card, while the openings 83 and 86 juxtapose a similarly sized rectangular opening 94. As may be seen on Figure 3 the engagement tab 90 is provided with a curved surfacearea S6 to reduce wear during the operation of the device, as will be more clearly seen later.

The selector element l6" provides-means for selecting the individual cardto be examined by the user of the device at any given time. Itcomprises a'selectingmember 500 slideably disposed upon a frame member i02secured to a portion of theouter casingelement l2. The frame member mas disposed at a slight-angle withrespect to the plane of the'bottom-portion 26 tofacilitate operation.-

The selectormemb'er" [00 includes a card" en gaging portion lfi l disposed at substantially right angles to a main body portion H36. Secured to the main body-portion IBGb-y suitable means such as the rivet 108 is afinger engaging portion I I0 Owingto the length of the finger engaging portion a degree of resilience is provided, enabling the wedge H2'to intermittently engage anyof the notches H4 which ju-xtapose the indicating symbols H6 As will' 'be' more: clearlyseen later, the individual notches H4, engaged-"with the wedge I I2, determine the individual card 50 whiohwill be displayed'when the drawer l8-is opened;

Operation.

The operation of the device requires only"or-' dinary skill; being-of an extremely simple nature. The device is normallyin'a closed position as shown on Figure 1. When it is desired to'make' an entry or to 1 locate a previously entered one, the finger engaging portion HE] is manually moved outwardly from the'device 1!]; thereby disengaging the wedge ll2 from'the notches H4. The selector member I lid-is now moved forwardly. orrear-wardly'until theiwedge I |2"is opposite the notch IM corespond-ing to the-desired-letter or symbol '6, at which time the wedge H2 is allowedto' engage the notch. During this operation the card engaging portion has been moved so'as toengage the proper surface area 96, as-may be seen onFigurelOJ The action of the interlocking members istherefore interrupted at this point, the'interl'ocking tab'88'being lifted from the corresponding op-eningfi4 in the card immediately therebelow:

This accomplished, the finger engaging por-' tion 38 of 'the trigger member 32 is depressed 'to the point where th'e drawer element engaging portion 36 clears the periphery of"th"e hole'3T which it'nor-mallyengages; At this pointthe drawer '48-is urged outwardlyby the action of the springs l l to a'point where the terminalb'ar'en gaging-portion strikes thestop member 'l'tl wh'ere it is arrested. Since the bottom card 50 -is'"se-kcured to the bottom member 64 which in turn is interlocked by the series of interlocking tabs with all of the cards successively above it to the desired card, these cards are simultaneously moved with the drawer. The cards above the desired card, however, are retained by the selector member, which retains them within the outer casing element 2. The notation made, the drawer is returned to its original position thereby compressing the coil springs M for a subsequent opening operation.

It may thus be seen that I hav invented a novel and highly useful device for the cataloguing of addresses and telephone numbers of parties to whom frequent references are made. The device is simple in construction and. operation, requires no table or desk space, not already occupied by the telephone, and once installed, cannot be mislaid. In addition to the permanent entries, provision has been made for the making of notations which may be detached from the device and carried on the person until such time as they are discarded.

I wish it to be understood that I do not desire to be limited to the exact details of construction shown and described, for obvious modifications will occur to a person skilled in the art.

I claim:

1. A memorandum device for use in cataloguing a series of entries including: an outer casing element, a drawer element, and a selector element; said drawer element including a plurality of index cards each having an interlocking member thereon; said interlocking members being detachably interengageable with each other; said selector element having means thereon for disengaging any one interlocking member from a juxtaposed interlocking member.

2. A memorandum device for use in cataloguing a series of entries including: an outer casing element, a drawer element and a selector element; said drawer element including a plurality of index cards each having an interlocking member thereon; said interlocking members having a staggered relationship with respect to each other and being detachably interengageable with each other; said selector element having means thereon for detaching any one interlocking member from the interlocking member secured to the card immediately below the card upon which said first mentioned interlocking member is mounted.

3. A memorandum device for use in cataloguing a series of entries including: an outer casing element, a drawer element, and a selector element; said casing element having a trigger member thereon; said drawer element including a sliding drawer having a plurality of index cards therein each having an interlocking member thereon; said interlocking members being in a staggered relationship with respect to each other and normally having an interlocked relation; said selector element including means for disengaging any one of said interlocking members from the interlocking member disposed immediately below it;

'resilient means connecting a portion of said drawer with a portion of said outer casing element, whereby when said trigger member is released said resilient means acts to urge said drawer from said outer casing element, thereby disclosing one of said cards.

4. A memorandum device for use in cataloguing a series of entries including: an outer casing element, a drawer element, and a selector element;

. said casing element having a trigger element thereon, a portion of which is engageable with a portion of said drawer element; said drawer element including a plurality of index cards each having an interlocking member thereon; said interlocking members normally being in a staggered interlocked relation; said outer casing element and drawer element being resiliently connected by a spring; said interlocking members having a main body portion having an opening therein, an interlocking tab, and an engagement tab; said interlocking tabs being adapted to penetrate the opening in each successive tab; said selector element having a selector member including a card engaging portion adapted to contact the engagement tabs of said interlocking members whereby said interlocking members may be disengaged at any desired point; said trigger member being adapted to release said drawer whereby it may be resiliently urged outwardly of said outer casing element carrying with it a number of said index cards; said selector member retaining the remainder of said cards.

5. In a memorandum device for use in cataloguing a series of entries and having a drawer element and a selector element, the drawer element including a plurality of index cards; an interlocking member including: means to secure said member to a peripheral portion of one of said index cards; a main portion, and an interlocking tab; said main portion having an opening therein adapted to receive the interlocking tab of a similar interlocking member; an engagement tab, said engagement tab being engageable with a portion of said selector element; whereby movement of said selector element may serve to disengage said interlocking member from an ad-- joining interlocking member.

ADOLPH OLEVIN.

REFERENCES CITED The following references are of record in the file of this patent:

UNITED STATES PATENTS Great Britain Feb. 27, 1891 

